Jon Walters says he would have "no qualms" about dropping down to the Championship this summer - an admission which could turn the head of Middlesbrough manager Tony Pulis.

Walters only made five appearances in all competitions for Burnley last season and boss Sean Dyche has already agreed to allow the experienced forward to move on if the opportunity presents itself this summer.

Ideally, Walters would get a move to another Premier League club but the 34-year-old says he wouldn't think twice about dropping down a division.

And that admission could prick the ears of Boro's boss.

Pulis signed Walters for Stoke eight years ago and later purred about the forward's qualities and what he brings to a side.

"He gives everything, Jon," said Pulis during his time in charge of Stoke.

"He is just a very gifted individual in lots of respects, and his biggest asset is his big strong heart and the British bulldog spirit he has got."

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Walters was a regular for Pulis at Stoke and made more than 200 league appearances for the Potters before joining Burnley last summer.

That move hasn't worked out as planned, though. Walters was battling injury and when he regained fitness he struggled to get in the side. With Euro 2020 in the back of his mind, Walters is well aware of the need to be playing regularly and is seeking a switch in the weeks ahead.

"I spoke to the manager and I think I am available to go if needs be, we will assess it and see what's there.

"If I wanted to move on, I wouldn't see that as an issue. But we will see.

"I have got another year. I am not going to rush any decisions. If someone wants you in the Premier League, great, but if not I will have no qualms about dropping. Playing games is what it is all about."

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Walters added: "Sometimes at Stoke I wasn't playing every week, but I knew I would play 15 or 20 games a year, and sometimes that is OK.

"But if I want to be involved in games with Ireland then I need to get that feeling back of being a footballer. It is tough to train all week and then not play."